Monday, August 06, 2007

Trains are a romantic way to travel, there's always something exciting about riding on the rails--think North by Northwest, Strangers on a Train, Murder on the Orient Express, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Polar Express--and if you're ever in Wasilla, Alaska you need to make a whistle stop at Alaska Live Steamers Miniature Trains.

On the north side of town at the exit for the Air Museum, nestled among the birch and spruce of the Alaskan outdoors is a twelve-gauge track that reminds you what fun it is to be behind an engine. Run by volunteers and train enthusiasts it's a fun activity for an Alaskan summer afternoon--even with the drizzle of rain we had when we were there last month.

The train has room for twenty or so people and the fifteen-minute train ride takes you over tressle-bridges and tiny gorges, underneath tracks and birch boughs, criss-crossing and chugging along in the quaintest way. Along the track are tiny houses, water towers and trucks that make you feel as if you're Gulliver in a modern-day Lilliput.

Children of all ages can ride, those under two are asked to sit in a car seat and if you don't have your own the operators have seats you can borrow. The cost is $4 per person, children under two are $2 and the tracks are open Saturdays 10am-4pm from about May through September but check the website for details.

On Saturday, September 14th they'll be having a special "Night Run" complete with a bonfire and marshmallow roast with tickets being $5. Be sure to bring cash or a check because they don't take credit cards.